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The Team
Karla training Escogido
Karla Santiago Vargas
Equine Professional, Donkey Wrangler, and Founder
Karla Santiago Vargas was born and raised in Mexico City and moved to Texas over 20 years ago. Her passion for horses runs deep, rooted in family tradition — her father, the youngest of five from Guadalajara, Jalisco, was a skilled quarter horse trainer and roper, descended from a family with a background in racing horses.
Karla began riding at age nine in the Western discipline and has since trained across multiple riding styles, including Western, English, and Dressage. Her diverse foundation and dedication to horsemanship continue to shape her approach as both a rider and a trainer.
She is also the founder of the Association for Donkey and Equine Haven USA, a rescue organization she started over a decade ago after being introduced to her first donkey, Dixie, by cutting horse legend Punk Carter. What began with one donkey has grown into a lifelong mission — Karla has since helped rescue and rehabilitate nearly 1,000 horses and donkeys, advocating for the care of equines without a voice.
To learn more about the rescue and its ongoing efforts, please visit: donkeyandhorserescue.org
Where Champions Are Trained—and Legends Are Made.
Catalino Gonzalez Carrero
Director of Equine Programs and Trainer
Catalino Gonzalez Carrero is a world-renowned, championship-level trainer with over 28 years of elite experience in the preparation of sport horses and riders for peak competition performance. As an ANCCE PRE Certified Professional Trainer, he creates custom, results-driven training programs designed to bring out the full potential of both horse and rider.
His expertise spans all aspects of equestrian care—breeding, veterinary support, performance nutrition, and center management—combined with an exceptional talent for developing athletes for Morphologic and Classic Dressage. Catalino’s influence in the industry is global, with features in international trade publications, equestrian magazines, and dressage spotlights. Simply put: when performance matters, he’s the one serious riders call.
